England Coaching

Book(s) I’m Reading: Tribe of Mentors by Time Ferris( In the morning) and Grit by Angela Duckworth (in the evening)

The Tribe of Mentors is a good book for anyone starting out and looking to find some personal answers out of their own life expectations. It is more of a daily read opposed to a book you would attempt to read in one or just a few sittings. Not because of the fact that it’s over 500 pages long but because it is in an interview format with consistent questions but different answers given by several successful individuals. I would say my focus in this book is to use is as a quote reference at the very least (which this book is full of great quotes). I am glad that I came across his book because it does have a lot of noteworthy information and advice in it.

Grit was gifted to me by co-workers and after listening to Angela Duckworth’s TED talk, I decided I’ll start reading it sooner than later. Already in just a few chapters, it covers some great concepts of what it takes to be successful in some of the hardest challenges if given the opportunity. Where “grit” has been shown to allow one to significantly outperform someone with “talent” in not only a physical level but also in educational settings. She was able to project how many people from a group would succeed through graduation in their college experience. Who will make it through “beast week” at West Point US Military Academy and who will drop out. Even making it to the academy required hard work and perhaps some talent, that simply was proven to not be enough to make it through the challenges of “beast week”. One quote from David Goggins comes to mind as I write this: ” Be uncommon amongst the uncommon.” Which sounds similar to grit, when you can outwork even those amongst uncommon challenges, you surely will see success.

Photo I’ve Enjoyed:

I attempted to go to REI this past Sunday to purchase a new road bike tire, mountain bike tire, and a pair of road running shoes. Attempting to beat the crowds I had intentions of getting there upon opening only to realize I was an hour early.

I took the extra time to walk around the local book store and see if anything stood out to me. Bad idea as I spend an hour walking around acknowledging different books that I have on my list to read, a great sum of them actually in the “business” section mixed with “personal growth”. It’s not a coincidence that these two categories intersect with each other.

To be a stand out employee, leader, director, CEO, spouse, or sibling the personal growth and business alike can definitely be beneficial. It is easier to scoff at the idea of personal growth and see it as self help with the perception that something is wrong and you or I needing help. This simply is not the case, as we all can continue to learn more about ourselves and improve on our ability to interact with others whether it be in a work setting or at home. What we do not realize is that as we work on ourselves, we give ourselves the ability to better help others. It is important to remember that time is constant as the earth moves around our universe. If we neglect to change intentionally, learn, grow, and adapt and control our lives, our lives will control us. Change will come regardless and without intention, that change will likely be negative. (I would give you permission to think otherwise if you’re 100% satisfied in your position in life and others around you can agree that they are better because of you)

Whether you want to find a way to master (see photo above) the “art of a silent fart”, learn “effective begging”, or even learning how to better understand our minds, bodies, and the constant changing world around us so that we can develop to become the best versions of ourselves. Intentional growth is necessary in some manner.

“We discourage failure and by doing so we subtly discourage success.”- Janna Levin

Reflection with quotes:

I by now have worked with thousands of individuals and I would say my ability to interact with people only continues to grow. One trend I have found in discussions is learning to effectively utilize the 168 hours we have in every week. When asking someone to dedicate even 30 minutes a day for 4 days a week, you would think I asked them to run an ultra marathon (I’m sure I’ve done this too). The general consensus is that there simple is not enough time in the day. This comes from someone whom is retired, working a career with/ without children, and students alike. I’ll start off with a more blunt statement that “busy is a decision” that we all make. We get to choose to say yes or no to one thing which ultimately says yes and no to another. If we say yes to helping one person out we may be saying no to helping ourselves grow. Which in turn is saying no I can not develop to better help not only that one person but several others at the same time. When saying yes to a job or career you dislike, you’re telling yourself “no” I do not want to do what makes me happy (Why do this to yourself?). We are not typically forced by gunpoint to work for a terrible employer, to stop learning, to stop growing, and forced to settle for less than we deserve. We live like we have several chances at life, or that a miracle will come my way eventually without actively seeking out that miracle with effort.

“There is nothing that the busy man is less busy with than living there is nothing harder to learn.” – Seneca

I will admit I used to have a victim mentality of thinking someone is always trying to take advantage of me. Not trusting others whom are wealthy because the false perception is that if you’re wealthy then you’re probably taking advantage of people. I have learned this simply is not the case for most. We all grow up with a perception of the world around us, it is not easy to forget what we know to re-learn how the world operates. However when you begin to learn the ever changing world around you from multiple perspectives, you simply see people and the world differently.

“We need new diversity – not based on biological characteristics and identity politics but a diversity of opinion and world views.”- Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Diversity in counsel, unity in command”- Cyrus the Great ( King of Persia)

What I have enjoyed this week:

I stated at a new clinic working with a new group of individuals. The fun part about it, it’s a fitness setting with bumper plates, turf, a sled, leg press, Assault treadmill, and much more. I’m working with some extremely smart Doctors of Physical Therapy that I look forward to learning from. This space gives me the opportunity to blend both skillsets of personal training and physical therapy alike to work with clients and patients at all levels of function and limitations.

Questions and Actions:

Question: What is one thing we are neglecting in you own life right now that makes you unhappy? What can you do to change this? ( Do not attempt the ostrich approach and dig your head in the sand, the problem will still be there when you come up for more oxygen)

Action: Write down one simple step that you can take each day and act on it, to better your position in life to promote your vision of happiness. You have the permission to set a vision for yourself to be happy, to take care of yourself, and to begin living the best version of yourself starting today.

“What makes a river so restful to people is that it doesn’t have any doubt- it is sure to get where it is going and it doesn’t want to go anywhere else.”- Hal Boyle

Thank you for reading! Please share if this is something you have found any of this information interesting, entertaining, or useful. Have a remarkable day!